[Acute benign edematous polyarthritis in the elderly (or RA3PE syndrome). Clinical course apropos of 13 cases].

OBJECTIVES

The position of remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE syndrome) among inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Is it a distinct syndrome or a clinical feature?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To answer this question a retrospective study was conducted in 13 elderly patients (mean age: 72 years). The clinical course and laboratory findings were followed for 3 to 172 months after disease onset.

RESULTS

In two patients, another disease was diagnosed: polymyalgia rheumatica, late onset peripheral spondylarthropathy. Two relapses of RS3PE were noted. There was no clinical difference between initial RS3PE and relapsing RS3PE. In four cases, RS2PE syndrome revealed another disease: dermatopolymyositis, AL amyloidosis, polymyalgia rheumatica, late onset peripheral spondylarthropathy. No rheumatoid arthritis appeared, but one patient was positive for rheumatoid factors. A benign course was observed in all patients, without paraneoplastic syndrome and without death.

CONCLUSION

Benign edematous polyarthritis in the elderly is a syndrome that may reveal connective tissue disease or inflammatory rheumatic disease.